Shahid Kapoor-Sonakshi Sinha starrer R... Rajkumar opened to a good response. Despite mixed reviews, the film has managed to catch the attention of filmgoers, especially the masses. The day also saw the release of Sanjay Tripathy’s Club 60 which failed to make a mark.

was a complete underdog, as several trade analysts had written off the film, before its release. We all knew that it is a mass entertainer, but Bullett Raja’s performance the previous week had left a big question mark. The response, however, has been phenomenal, as the film has got a bumper opening in single screens and has done equally well at the multiplexes. We must understand that Prabhu Dheva’s films are pure entertainers. This proves that despite bad reviews, the audience made a choice of their own,” stated trade analyst Amod Mehra. According to sources close to the project, the film got an opening of Rs.10.10 crore on Friday. The collections dipped a little on Saturday at Rs.9.14 crore, but it picked up again on Sunday with Rs.11.35 crore. The film has done well in Delhi, Mumbai, CP, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, while it has done average business in CI, East Punjab among others. With the overall budget of Rs.40 crore, the total weekend domestic opening was Rs. 30.59 crore net.

At G7 cinemas in Mumbai, there was 100 per cent occupancy in all the shows during the weekend. “Besides, even the Monday shows were housefull. I don’t see a major drop during the weekdays, since the audience response has been fantastic,” adds Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 cinemas. Rakesh Sippy, proprietor, Raksha exhibitors added that the film saw a 98 per cent occupancy on all three days at Chitra, Mumbai. “The film has got a bumper opening in almost every single screen across the country, despite the elections, India vs South Africa cricket match among others,” adds Sippy. He also stated that the film will do good business in the second weekend as well. The morning shows at multiplexes too are doing well. “Though the reviews might have affected the footfall by 10 per cent, people are still coming to watch the film. The pan India occupancy stands at 70 - 80 per cent,” mentioned Mayank Shroff, Manager - programming and film marketing, Cinepolis India.

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